• Articles
  • News
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Terms of Use
  • Contact
Total Packers - Green Bay Packers Blogs and News
  • Home
  • Analysis
  • Packers News
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Analysis
  • Packers News
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
No Result
View All Result
Total Packers
No Result
View All Result

Gay NFL Prospect Michael Sam and the Green Bay Packers

Monty McMahon by Monty McMahon
December 21, 2018
in Uncategorized
15

Michael Sam

If you didn’t pay any attention to football — or sports in general — this past weekend then you probably missed this, uh…. bombshell? Missouri defense end Michael Sam is about to be the first openly gay NFL player.

Sam is the reigning SEC defensive player of the year and is (or was) projected to be a mid-to-late round pick in this year’s NFL draft. And while his college teammates knew he was gay, he’s now admitted it publicly, so the rest of the world knows too.

So where do the Green Bay Packers fit in? We’ll get to that in a second. First, the reaction.

Most former and current players have been supportive of Sam. Here’s an example from Tom Crabtree.

Good for Michael Sam. Takes courage for where he is in his career and where we are as a league. I applaud him.

— Tom Crabtree (@itsCrab) February 10, 2014

Then there’s the other side to this. While we haven’t seen many people be overly hateful and ignorant, a bunch of anonymous NFL sources told SI the announcement will hurt Sam’s draft stock.

Oh, and some questioned how Sam’s sexual orientation would affect the locker room.

“There are guys in locker rooms that maturity-wise cannot handle it or deal with the thought of that,” the assistant coach said. “There’s nothing more sensitive than the heartbeat of the locker room. If you knowingly bring someone in there with that sexual orientation, how are the other guys going to deal with it? It’s going to be a big distraction. That’s the reality. It shouldn’t be, but it will be.”

That whole statement makes no sense. So you’re telling us Sam was in a college locker room this past season with a bunch of guys who should be less mature than their NFL counterparts and they all knew he was gay? And those kids can handle a gay teammate, but guys who get paid to play football professionally can’t?

Right. Have I mentioned that every single source was quoted anonymously in this story?

So now, here’s where the Packers come in. An anonymous former general manager said only a certain number of teams could deal with Sam’s presence. That team would have to have a strong owner, savvy general manager and veteran coach.

In other words, a team like the Green Bay Packers. ESPN Milwaukee’s Jason Wilde seems to agree with that assessment.

Could #Packers draft Michael Sam and make him an OLB in the 3-4? That locker room/organization could handle attention story would generate.

— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) February 10, 2014

Here’s where we get down to brass tacks. Ultimately, who gives a shit about sexuality in this instance? If you can play football, then then you’re welcome on my team.

That’s really the biggest question about Sam, as Wilde alluded to. Can he play football on the NFL level? Even though he was the SEC defensive player of the year, Sam has some question marks.

First, he’s a tweener. He played defensive end for Mizzou at 260 pounds. If he were to play for the Packers, he’d obviously have to switch to outside linebacker. That makes him a project not unlike Mike Neal, who converted from defensive end prior to the 2013 season.

Second, Sam had 11.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 2013. Those stats look pretty impressive on the surface, but when you dig a little deeper, they’re somewhat misleading. Nine of Sam’s sacks came in three games — against Florida, Arkansas State and Vanderbilt.

Those teams aren’t exactly SEC powerhouses.

Sam is going to have to perform well at the combine and in individual workouts to show he belongs. And that has nothing to do with sexuality. It has to do with football.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Tags: 2014 NFL DraftGreen Bay PackersMichael Sam
Previous Post

Here’s Some Speculation About John Schneider Coming Back

Next Post

Jarrett Bush, Not Morgan Burnett, was Taunting Tony Gonzalez

Packers vs Jets 2018

Recapping Packers 2019 Off-Season Moves

July 9, 2019
Green Bay Packers in snow

[Updated] A Look Ahead at the 2019 Packers Schedule

April 17, 2019
Geronimo Allison injury against Buffalo

Were the Packers Snake-bit with Serious Injuries Last Season?

February 23, 2019
Jimmy Graham - November 2018

Can the Course of Jimmy Graham’s Career Be Reversed?

February 18, 2019
Next Post
Jarrett Bush

Jarrett Bush, Not Morgan Burnett, was Taunting Tony Gonzalez

Comments 15

  1. Sean says:
    8 years ago

    Ug… I’m just sick of DE to OLB conversion projects.

    • Zack says:
      8 years ago

      ^THIS.

  2. tequila says:
    8 years ago

    The story would be a lot more interesting if he was a first or second round projection.

    • TyKo Steamboat says:
      8 years ago

      I agree

  3. Mason Crosby says:
    8 years ago

    Does it really matter if someone comes out as gay? Their job is to play football and we watch it.

  4. Cheese says:
    8 years ago

    I’m more bothered by the comment to draft another DE and turn him into a linebacker than I am this kid being gay. It’s worked so well in the past…. not. Aaron Rodgers gets paid more than anybody on the team, maybe they should have him play OLB too.

  5. iltarion says:
    8 years ago

    The Packers have the kind of coach and locker room that could handle this.

    As a smallish DE who is better suited for OLB, Sam certainly is on the Packer’s radar for rounds 4-6. Whether the Packers resign Mike Neal may also play a role in our interest.

    Green Bay is a conservative area, but Packer fans only care about one thing- Can you play football?

  6. Carl with a "C" says:
    8 years ago

    creeeeeeek…. come on out Monty!

  7. Nacho dan says:
    8 years ago

    Buncha sweaty dudes showering together, slapping butts. I don’t think this is an issue if you can ball.

  8. Savage57 says:
    8 years ago

    If a guy can ball on the field, I give a rat’s ass how they ball off of it. But to the point of a lot of posts here already, how about if the need is a linebacker, draft a fucking linebacker instead of trying to always play the role of Dr. Frankenstein.

  9. Brad says:
    8 years ago

    The locker room question is interesting – some say it doesn’t matter. I say why even have men/women locker rooms then? Anyhow, I’m not gay, but if I saw a sexy naked gay man, I just might rape-blow him right then and there.

  10. Vijay says:
    8 years ago

    We need more speed, athleticism on defense than I feel he can offer. I’d look at a guy like Dee Ford over Michael, at least for our scheme. Sam reminds me of a poor man’s Dwight Freeney, he flashes and has a nice rip under move playing outside but doesn’t have a counter inside move or really great hand usage (at this time). Also, he may be too much of a liability in coverage as he has almost no experience there. I predict he moves down to the 5th-6th Rd range based on ability and yes, the “out and proud” news.

    • Vijay says:
      8 years ago

      I also think he compares favorably to another former Packer, Aaron Kampman (who had trouble adjusting to a 3-4 OLB).
      Like people mentioned before, we’ve had our fill of projects there.

      Late Round, I’d still take a shot at a kid like Howard Jones from tiny Shepherd College
      http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1917687/howard-jones

  11. nurseratchett says:
    8 years ago

    It makes no difference to anyone except homophobes & assholes (oh, and DD is in the asshole category) if this guy is gay. What matters to ME is if he can tackle. We have enough projects at this point, and more than enough defensive players who can’t seem to tackle. Unless he shines at the combine, hopefully he’ll be drafted where he can make an impact.

    Odds although he might be the first OPENLY gay player in the NFL, he’s not the only gay player in the NFL…..

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Total Packers - Green Bay Packers News and Rumors

Find It!

No Result
View All Result

Subscribe to Total Packers via Email

Recent Posts

  • Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022
  • 10 Reasons Why The Packers Have A High Chance Of Winning The Super Bowl
  • Green Bay Could Host the NFL Draft Soon
  • Packers 2022 Ominous Start
  • Bakhtiari Added to PUP
  • Packers Place 9 on PUP including Christian Watson and Sign TE Sal Cannella
  • Madden 23 Disses Packers Receiving Corps
  • Will Sammy Watkins Bring What the Packers Need?
  • Packers: Five Biggest Concerns Entering 2022 season
  • Early NFL 2022 Super Bowl futures value the Packers as contenders
  • PFF Ranks Packers Among 2022 Favorites
  • Meet the Members of the Green Bay Packers This Season

Recent Comments

  • PF4L on Green Bay Could Host the NFL Draft SoonDumb down the site, how....? . By referencing the sexuality of ot…
  • PF4L on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022Tommi...just for giggles . How much do you hate Rodgers? . On a s…
  • Tom M on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022Ferris my friend, your buddy PF4L was quick to judge 21 year old…
  • Ferris on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022Actually starting to look like an NFL QB? No he's not. Everyone h…
  • Tom M on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022That’s right Ed. Give me Zac Wilson. He bangs cougars, not witche…
  • Ed on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022Tommy : "Clearly the man’s got issues." ? . Clearly you can't rec…
  • Tom M on Green Bay Could Host the NFL Draft SoonIt seems PF4L can’t post without mentioning my name. I’m flattere…
  • Tom M on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022Ferris, the sensitive one, so glad to hear from the spelling quee…
  • PF4L on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022"Tea time with Erin" 🙄 . Who else could come up with something li…
  • Ferris on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022Tom if YOU'RE so intelligent why is it that YOU'RE incapable of u…
  • Tom M on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022Look Kevin, I know it’s the offseason but your only capable of tw…
  • PF4L on Big Expectations and Opportunity For Allen Lazard in 2022Tom M 34 mins ago Hey Kevin! Have you heard of the new website? I…

Popular Tags

A.J. Hawk Aaron Rodgers Brett Favre Brian Gutekunst Bryan Bulaga Charles Woodson Chicago Bears Chicago Bears Clay Matthews Clay Matthews III Dallas Cowboys Davante Adams Detroit Lions Detroit Lions Eddie Lacy fans Featured free agents game analysis Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers Greg Jennings injuries Jay Cutler Jermichael Finley Jordy Nelson Mike McCarthy Mike McCarthy Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings Morgan Burnett New England Patriots New Orleans Saints NFL Oakland Raiders Philadelphia Eagles Randall Cobb Sam Shields San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks T.J. Lang Ted Thompson Ted Thompson Tramon Williams Ty Montgomery
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Subscribe to Total Packers via Email

  • Articles
  • News
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Terms of Use
  • Contact
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Articles
  • News
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Website Terms of Use
  • Contact

© 2022 Total Packers -- This site is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or Packers.com

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Analysis
  • Packers News
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer

© 2022 Total Packers -- This site is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or Packers.com

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.